Theme Park – Birthdays, London 13/08/12

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What Theme Park do isn’t groundbreaking or pioneering but what it lacks in innovation, it makes up for in abundance with an unrelenting sense of fun and glistening pop hooks. And tonight, they prove that sometimes updating something that’s already been done is enough – more than enough, even.

With their debut album on the way and a cluster of dates supporting Bloc Party confirmed for this autumn, tonight might be one of the last times they play in a venue as small as Birthdays. With a sold out crowd squashed into the small basement, the atmosphere’s electric before the band have even taken the stage. When the five friends do appear, it goes through the roof.

As one song finishes, frontman Miles Haughton eagerly introduces the next, clearly excited to be performing with his twin brother Marcus and the rest of the band. That excitement drives much of the show, giving the likes of ‘Still Life’ a brighter new lease of life. One fan gets their thrills easily, enthusiastically waving a Jamaican flag throughout latest single ‘Jamaica’, whilst others show their appreciation through fervent cheering and as much dancing as the tight quarters will allow.

Reminding us of how far they’ve come since their first show almost a year ago, the North London band revisit older tracks ‘Milk’ and ‘Wax’ with a newfound confidence that makes them sound even more blissfully balmy than they did on first listen all those months ago. A soaring ‘Two Hours’ closes the set in euphoric fashion, clicking perfectly with the sticky, tropical musk that’s enveloped the venue. Shouts for more go unanswered and, on this basis, those shouts are only going to get louder as Theme Park continue on the road to claiming the title of “UK’s finest indie band”.

Rhian Daly